"LAS VEGAS -- Jai'Den Thomas scored three touchdowns, the UNLV defense had four interceptions and the heavily favored Rebels held off Idaho State 38-31 on Saturday in the debut of Dan Mullen as their coach. After winning 11 games in 2024, UNLV is starting over with only two returning starters and a new coach. Mullen, 103-61 in 13 seasons at Mississippi State and Florida before becoming a college football analyst on ESPN, picked up the 12th season-opening win of his career."
"The Rebels trailed 31-24 in the fourth quarter and struggled to put the game away even after their defense intercepted Idaho State's Jordan Cooke on back-to-back drives in the fourth. After Colandrea's 9-yard touchdown pass to Daejon Reynolds tied it at 31, UNLV cashed in one interception with Michigan transfer quarterback Alex Orji's 11-yard scramble for a score on a fourth-and-one play. Now leading 38-31, the Rebels intercepted Cooke again, but Ramon Villela missed a 41-yard field goal attempt."
UNLV defeated Idaho State 38-31 in the debut of coach Dan Mullen. Jai'Den Thomas rushed 10 times for 147 yards and scored three touchdowns. Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea passed for 195 yards and rushed for 93 yards. UNLV's defense recorded four interceptions, including two late in the fourth quarter that helped set up the go-ahead score. Michigan transfer Alex Orji scrambled 11 yards for a touchdown on fourth-and-one. Idaho State quarterback Jordan Cooke completed 30 of 50 passes for 380 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. UNLV enters the season with only two returning starters after an 11-win 2024 season.
Read at ESPN.com
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